CENTRAL PACIFIC

The Hawaiian archipelago is a group of volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean - formed by volcanic activity initiated at an undersea magma source called the Hawaii hotspot. The extant main islands of the archipelago have been above the surface of the ocean for fewer than 10 million years. Because the islands' isolated location - being distant from other land habitats, life is thought to have arrived there by wind, waves, ocean currents, and migratory sea birds. In combination with the diverse environment including extreme altitudes, tropical climates, and arid shorelines, these circumstances allowed for the evolution of new endemic flora and fauna.

Despite a high level of endemism, Hawaii’s marine life and coral reefs are low in biodiversity compared to the central Indo-Pacific region. Hawaii's number of inshore fish species is estimated to be 680, considerably less than the 1,400 in Micronesia and 2,000 in the Philippines.

Dr. Alshuth studied the biodiversity of Hawaiian coral reefs and nearshore communities in 2002 - exploring shores and diving the reefs of Maui, Lānaʻi and Moloka’i, and Molokini's impressive scleractinian coral gardens.


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Tropical Hawaiian Island expedition.
Tropical Hawaiian Island expedition.
Ho’okipa coast - on the north shore of Maui.
Ho’okipa coast - on the north shore of Maui.
Kahakuloa Head near Waikepa - on the north side of west Maui.
Kahakuloa Head near Waikepa - on the north side of west Maui.
Dr. Alshuth observing the whale migration at the northern coast in Maui, Hawaii.
Dr. Alshuth observing the whale migration at the northern coast in Maui, Hawaii.
Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from polar to tropical waters to breed and give birth.
Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from polar to tropical waters to breed and give birth.
Humpback whale migration and whale watching in central Pacific.
Humpback whale migration and whale watching in central Pacific.
Helmet Urchin (Colobocentrotus atratus) cling to rocky shores. Their shingle-like spines offer little resistance to surf.
Helmet Urchin (Colobocentrotus atratus) cling to rocky shores. Their shingle-like spines offer little resistance to surf.
View of rugged Lānaʻi coast.
View of rugged Lānaʻi coast.
Dr. Alshuth exploring the rocky volcanic shores of Maui.
Dr. Alshuth exploring the rocky volcanic shores of Maui.
Achilles Tang (Acanthurus archilles) - in surf zone at Molokini reef.
Achilles Tang (Acanthurus archilles) - in surf zone at Molokini reef.
Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora meandrina) - abundant scleractinian coral thriving in high energy reef environments.
Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora meandrina) - abundant scleractinian coral thriving in high energy reef environments.
Pinktail Triggerfish (Melichthys vidua) at Molokini Reef.
Pinktail Triggerfish (Melichthys vidua) at Molokini Reef.
Milletseed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon miliaris) - endemic to Hawaii.
Milletseed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon miliaris) - endemic to Hawaii.
Schooling Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger) - called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian,
Schooling Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger) - called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian,
Ornate Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus) - at Hawaiian's seaward reefs.
Ornate Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus) - at Hawaiian's seaward reefs.
Herbivorous Bluespine Unicornfish (Naso unicornis) - both natural control agent and mobile vector for invasive algae in Hawaiian Marine Reserves.
Herbivorous Bluespine Unicornfish (Naso unicornis) - both natural control agent and mobile vector for invasive algae in Hawaiian Marine Reserves.
Red Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mammillatus) - add characteristic color to many Hawaiian reefs.
Red Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mammillatus) - add characteristic color to many Hawaiian reefs.
Red Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mammillatus) - occurs throughout tropical Indo-Pacific but abundant only in Hawai’i.
Red Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mammillatus) - occurs throughout tropical Indo-Pacific but abundant only in Hawai’i.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS ARCHIPELAGO

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